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Leptostrophia reeftonensis
Phylum: Brachiopod
Genus: Leptostrophia Species: Leptostrophia reeftonensis Location found: Reefton |
Leptostrophia is an interesting yet in some ways problematic genus of brachiopods. Externally. it is relatively distinct: a rather flat (plano-convex) shell, semicircular in shape except along the very straight hinge line, with an ornamentation of fine ribs and growth lines and a strong, rather splayed beak. Internally, there are also distinctive features which can help to classify to species level. The shell is relatively fragile, however - suggesting that it lived in relatively quiet environments - so fossils are often damaged, and finding good specimens that show internal detail is difficult.
Two species have previously been identified in the Devonian rocks of New Zealand: Leptostrophia reeftonensis in the Reefton Formation, and Leptostrophia (Rhytistrophia) shirleyi in the Baton deposits. (Allan, 1947, also refers to Leptostrophia magnifica from Reefton, but this identification is no longer accepted.) The specimen shown here (the large specimen to the right in the image) is an exceptionnaly fine one and comes from the Reefton area. I believe that it is probably Leptostrophia reeftonensis, but good comparative material has not been found to confirm the identification. More fieldwork is needed!
Two species have previously been identified in the Devonian rocks of New Zealand: Leptostrophia reeftonensis in the Reefton Formation, and Leptostrophia (Rhytistrophia) shirleyi in the Baton deposits. (Allan, 1947, also refers to Leptostrophia magnifica from Reefton, but this identification is no longer accepted.) The specimen shown here (the large specimen to the right in the image) is an exceptionnaly fine one and comes from the Reefton area. I believe that it is probably Leptostrophia reeftonensis, but good comparative material has not been found to confirm the identification. More fieldwork is needed!